On 8 April 2011, intense anti- naxal operation was beig carried out by C-60 Special Task Force of Maharashtra Police in the thick jungles of Kandoli about 170 kms away from Gadchiroli. Captain Shakul Tyagi, working with Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd., was assigned to fly BSF helicopter (DHRUV) deployed in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) for anti-naxal operations.

Captain Tyagi received a message that three commandos had sustained bullet injuries in the ongoing operations in the thick jungles of Kandoli.

The casualties were in confined area next to rivulet. Considering the approaching sunset and the danger involved in moving the casualties in an area infested with naxals. it was not possible to move them to any near by helipad. Thus, there was a need to land the helicopter amidst vegetation in confined area right in the center of ongoing operations.' Captain Tyagi got airborne at 17:25 hrs with one doctor and one medical assistant on board from Gadchiroli and after about 35 minutes of flying reached the spot. He chalked out a strategy and descended to tree top level and set up an orbit to look up for troops. After 5 minutes the Commandos on ground realized that the only place where helicopter had a chance to land was next to the stream, they came out to the stream carrying the injured and showed torches towards the helicopter. He then sighted the party and landed next to the stream bed with just enough clearance available to safely land the helicopter. He walked out of the helicopter with rotors running and assisted the injured into the helicopter. In the mean time gun shot started from the nearby area and he noticed the frantic signals from the commandos on ground to immediately vacate the area. Captain Tyagi keeping his cool and in a professional manner executed a quick gateway without compromising the safety of the helicopter thereby showing a steely resolve to save the commandos and safe life. Captain Shakul Tyagi displayed a high degree of courage, sharp acumen and presence of mind in emergent hostile situation to save precious lives and helicoptors.